August 7, 2025, 3:43 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
There are films that evoke not only emotional but also physical reactions in viewers. Horror films are particularly suited for this, and anyone looking for a worthwhile challenge should definitely stream “Raw.”
If you haven’t seen the film, you’ve missed one of the most remarkable feature film directorial debuts of recent years. At the same time, it might not be surprising, as “Raw” was never intended for the mass audience. The subject matter is as disgusting as it is demanding, and the images are certainly not for the faint-hearted. As a small French production, it was never destined for wide distribution. It’s all the more important to draw attention to it now and stream “Raw.”
Overview
What “Raw” is About
Animal rights activists and vegans/vegetarians might find their pulse racing just from the synopsis of “Raw.” At the center is 16-year-old Justine (Garance Marillier), who comes from an eccentric family of veterinarians where everyone eats a meatless diet. She wants to follow the same path and begins studying at a specialized college.
But right from the start, she has to participate in a series of strange initiation rites. During this, she is forced to eat meat for the first time in her life. The consumption has surprising consequences, as Justine develops an insatiable appetite for meat and blood. And it doesn’t stop at animal products. Soon, her hunger claims its first human lives …
Enthusiasm for “Raw”
“Raw” is the feature film debut of French director Julia Ducournau, who also wrote the screenplay. The lead roles were played by Garance Marillier as Justine and the Swiss actress Ella Rumpf, known from German productions, as her sister Alexia.
The horror film debuted in 2016 at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and made an immediate lasting impression. It received nominations in several award categories, ultimately winning the FIPRESCI Prize for an “impressive debut with strong visual language.” Additionally, a strong 93 percent of all reviews on Rotten Tomatoes were positive.
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Stream “Raw” at Your Own Risk
The consensus is that “Raw” is highly worth watching. Yet, viewers should stream “Raw” at their own risk, especially if they don’t consider themselves dedicated horror film fans. Otherwise, they might find themselves not just disgusted and shocked, covering their faces with their hands, but experiencing something worse.
This isn’t just hype to make the film seem particularly exciting, as proven by a screening at the esteemed Toronto International Film Festival in 2016. As reported by the industry magazine “The Hollywood Reporter,” several guests fainted during a screening. This even prompted the emergency services to respond.
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According to eyewitness reports, it didn’t stop there. People reportedly vomited due to the scenes shown. This caused such a stir that a theater in Los Angeles felt compelled to provide barf bags to moviegoers specifically for the film.
Why Stream “Raw” at All?
Currently, “Raw” is not available to stream with any subscription. However, those who still want to watch it can rent or buy it digitally from various providers. It’s worth watching for anyone who doesn’t mind bloody narratives or wants to ease into them.
Even though it can be brutally intense at times, “Raw” is by no means a gratuitous violence fest. The focus is always on Justine’s turbulent emotional world and her attempts to navigate a new environment. At the same time, she must control her newfound lust for flesh–a term that can and must be interpreted in both senses. Cannibalism serves as a genre-appropriate device to explore Justine’s awakening sexual desire in a metaphorical way.
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“Raw” is less a conventional shocker and more a wild yet profound coming-of-age story about a young protagonist discovering her own feelings and identity. Combined with Ducournau’s outstanding craftsmanship, it results in true cinematic art that lingers in the memory.